Election: 4 candidates vie for 2 Munson Township trustee positions

Editor's Note: This story was edited at 4:35 p.m. Oct. 14, 2013, to add information from Todd Ray's questionnaire. The first preview story previously appeared inadvertently without Ray’s questionnaire, although he had completed it in time for the story.Four candidates, including two incumbents, are battling for two available trustee positions in Munson Township. The candidates are Andrew Bushman, Art Hollis, Jim McCaskey, and Todd Ray. The four-year terms will be decided by the township's 4,848 registered voters, according to the Geauga County Board of Elections. The salary for the position in 2014 is not yet known as it is based on the township's budget. If the township budget is between $1.5 million and $3.5 million, then a trustee is paid $11,318 annually. If the budget is between $3.5 million and $6 million, then a trustee is paid $12,346 annually. In 2013, trustees received $12,346.

Bushman Bushman wants to continue improving zoning and township services. “This is an area that we need to maintain so that the community as a whole will flourish in the future,” he said. Bushman also plans to continue researching plans in order to improve the community and continue to “push the envelope to make our community the best it can be.” “I feel Munson is a better place to live by providing more services to the residents. I feel we are instilling a sense of community in the township that we all can be proud to call home,” Bushman said. “I would like to continue to be the best public servant that my abilities allow.”

Hollis Hollis said he wants to better utilize volunteer boards to help lessen the need for hired staff. “Currently I feel these boards are not being used or consulted prior to some decisions that directly impact their areas of responsibilities. As a result this may waste members' time and efforts,” he said. Hollis also proposed outside organizations that use township facilities or property sign a contract and collect a security deposit to cover possible damages. “My 30-plus years of running manufacturing companies includes all aspects of these businesses. My experience includes human resources, profit and loss responsibilities, meeting payrolls, purchasing materials, sales, engineering reviews and approval, and most importantly customer service,” he said. “By having participation of our citizens, employees, and volunteers we should be able to accomplish our goals.”

McCaskey McCaskey wants the township's park system to focus more on active programs. “We should not be competing with the Geauga Park District for passive parks, that's their job,” he said. “We should be improving our parks for more outdoor recreation, i.e. football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball fields.” McCaskey would also like to improve the snow removal process across the township and look into long-term strategic planning and budgeting for the fire department. “I have demonstrated excellent leadership skills through several community and board positions. I bring to the table a very open minded — see both sides of the issue — attitude,” he said. “As a small business owner, I have the skills to successfully balance the budget while managing the work load, the sales and the labor force.”

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Ray One of Ray’s main goals is to keep the cost of township services affordable for Munson residents. “As state funding to local governments continues to decline, township government will still be expected to provide the same level of service for road maintenance, emergency response, and parks and facilities. I will continue to support a balanced approach to using private service vendors and township forces to seek maximum cost effectiveness,” Ray said. He also would like to continue creating a positive sense of community in the township by encouraging use of parks and the town hall. Ray added that his track record as a trustee proves that he will continue to make responsible decisions for the township. “I try to be direct and transparent in taking positions on issues, and speak clearly to support my position. Agree or disagree, residents will know where I stand,” he said. “Township government is not complicated, and our township is running smooth and orderly, and disagreements are resolved with little, if any, controversy. I would like to keep it that way.”

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